Italy’s Francisco Guermani and England’s Nick Ludwell shot rounds of 66, six under par, to share the lead after the opening round of the Rolex Trophy at Golf Club de Geneve. The pair lead by one from Brazilian Jean-Marie Kula and American Brian Nelson.

24-year-old Guermani, currently 61st in the Challenge Tour Rankings, has recorded two top ten finishes this season but has also only made the cut in three of his ten appearances this year. His round today equalled his lowest round on the Challenge Tour.

Yorkshire’s Nick Ludwell has similarly struggled this season despite a fourth place finish in the Comunitat Valenciana Challenge de Espana at the beginning of May. Three missed cuts in his last four outings have seen to 27-year-olf slip to 53rd in the Rankings and needing a good week.

A shot off the pace is Texan Nelson, winner of the Qualifying School in 1993, and Brazillian Kula. Carl Suneson, currently third in the rankings has the chance to close the gap on Gustavo Rojas at the top of the table after an opening 68, four under, to level par 72 of the Argentinian.